Brussels, 21/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday the Commission will hold an orientation debate on authorisations for genetically modified organisms in the EU. This will be the first political discussion at the Barroso Commission on this very controversial subject dividing Member States and which clashes with European public opinion. The Prodi Commission held a similar initial debate in January 2004.
In a press statement, the environment and consumer protection agencies and those defending organic farming (European Environmental bureau, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, EuroCoop, and IFOAM EU-organic farmers) are urging the Commission to listen to public opinion and break with the pro-GMO attitude of the Prodi Commission and “rapidly elaborate adequate legislation on GMO/traditional and organic crops”.